Hot liquid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A hot chocolate dispenser having separate water and chocolate syrup circuits with a syrup and water control assembly connected to the circuits to enable the customer to select a large or small drink while maintaining a fixed ratio of water to syrup. A reverse flow sensor can be used in the dispenser to sense an outof-syrup condition. The sensor indicates backflow of fluid and actuates circuitry to activate a suitable response.

Un ted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,790,028 Gardner, Jr. et al. Feb. 5, 1974HOT LIQUID DISPENSER 3,105,616 10/1963 Krup 222/1292 x Inventors: J n A.Gardner, J Merle 3,640,433 2/1972 Rodth 222/ 129.4 X

Brown, both of 195 Bear Hill Rd., Waltham, M Q2154 PrimaryExaminer-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky [22]1971 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wold, Greenfield & Sacks [21] Appl. No.:177,597 I Related U.S. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] gg sggg llg ofN 887571 A hot chocolate dispenser having separate water and chocolatesyrup circuits with a syrup and water con- [52] U 5 222/129 4 trolassembly connected to the circuitsto enable the 51 1513013111111 B67d5/5 6 cusmme select a large drink while [58] Field of search'zzzllzgl,1292 1293 1294 taining a fixed ratio of water to syrup. A reverse flow222/134 282 sensor can be used in the dispenser to sense an out-ofsyrupcondition. The sensor indicates backflow of v [56] References Citedfluid and actuates circuitry to activate a suitable re- UNITED STATESPATENTS 9 2,503,376 4/1950 Burgess 222/ 129.2 X 28 Claims, 13 DrawingFigures PATENIEU FEB 51974 SHEEI 2 BF 8 FIG. .2

'INVENTOR JOHN A: (JAKDNEe-L zihul M RLE 6. Haw! Okyg/l fifizji jl ml 00* M ATTORNEYS PAIENIEDFEB 51w 3,790,028

saw u or 8 F|G.5 INVENTOR5 JOHN ARDNER a B MERLE S. dRow 414w?K211271246 k ATTO R NEYS PATENTEB FEB 5 i974 SHEET 6 BF 8 PATENTED sum 7of 8 FIG n PAIENIEBHB 51914 3.790.028 SHE 8 BF 8 FIG I 1 HOT LIQUIDDISPENSER RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-partof copending U.S. application Ser. No. 887,671 filed Dec. 23, 1969 nowabandoned.

This invention relates to beverage dispensers and more particularlycomprises a new and improved dispenser for hot chocolate or other liquidfood made up of a combination of two liquid parts. The invention alsorelates to a sensor for monitoring flow and sensing unacceptablebackflow of fluids. The sensor is particularly useful when incorporatedin a beverage dispenser to sense an out-of-syrup condition.

Most beverage dispensers handling hot chocolate now available include ahot water tank, a syrup or powder container of ready-to-mix concentrate,a flow metering system to control the flow rate of water andconcentrate, and a programmer for controlling the size of the drink. Allof the machines heretofore available have deficiencies in one or more ofthe standards established to measure acceptability. These standardsinclude simplicity of operation, reliability, cleanability, accuracy ofmetering, ease of portion control, and speed of operation. For example,in all hot chocolate dispensers known to applicant, in order to cleanthe machine it is necessary to disassemble much of the flavor circuitand submerge the parts in a sanitizing solution in order to meet thestandards of cleanliness imposed by federal, state and local healthagencies. The hot chocolate dispensers which use powder concentrate donot precisely meter the mixture of water and powder, and are not capableof accurately preserving the ratio of powder to water when dispensingportions of different sizes. And all of the prior art hot chocolatedispensers known to applicant have a time cycle which varies with thesize of the portions dispensed and employ relatively complex andexpensive control and programming techniques.

A variety of devices have been used in the past to indicate the absenceof fluid, reverse fluid flow or some predetermined point just prior tothe absence of fluid in various systems. Such devices can comprise anyof a number of systems including float systems, optical systems,conductive or resistive systems, ultrasonic systems, pneumatic systems,weight sensing systems, mechanical systems and the like. Most suchdevices suffer from one or more undesirable features which includenecessity for preciseorientation, high cost, complexity, erroneoussignal indications, lack of adaptability, unacceptable free movingparts, complicated cross wall linkages and others. Thus, there aredifficulties in adopting a reverse flow sensor in hot chocolatedispensers to indicate an out-of-syrup condition which would activate adispenser shut off, or give some other indication to the user. Yet, itis desirable to have an out-of-syrup condition indicated to a hotchocolate dispenser operator in order to prevent less than apredetermined ratio of syrup to water being dispensed from a dispenser.

One object of this invention is to provide a hot chocolate dispenserwhich is extremely simple to operate.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hot chocolate dispenserwhich by a single easily operated control knob affords the user theopportunity to select between two sizes or portions dispensed by themachine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser which has aconstant time cycle for large or small size portions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a very accuratemetering assembly, which provides uniform mixture of water and syrupwhether dispensing large or small portions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a reverse flowsensor which is highly accurate, reliable, and sensitive to unwantedreverse flow.

Still another object of this invention .is to provide a sensor inaccordance with the preceding objects which is highly useful to indicatean out-of-syrup condition in hot chocolate dispensers of this invention.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a reverse flowsensor in accordance with the preceding objects which is highly compact,relatively low in cost, easily reset after shut down, capable ofoperating without auxiliary equipment and does not require frequentadjustments in use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a reverse flowsensor in accordance with the preceding objects which is unaffected bychanges in physical properties of chocolate syrups, has an easilydiscernible signal output, is relatively insensitive to damage byhandling and is capable of being sanitized while in place in a hotchocolate dispenser.

To accomplish these and other objects, the hot chocolate dispenser ofthis invention includes a syrup and circuit which includes the controlassembly also includes a positive displacement pump that moves aconstant volume of syrup in the system during each cycle. The assemblyfor small portions diverts a part of the output of the positivedisplacement pump and simultaneously reduces the total water flow, andby means of a single control knob the portion selection is made.

The reverse flow sensor comprises a check valve slider carrying a magnetand positioned in operative relationship to a magnet sensitive means foropening and closing an electrical circuit. Movement of the magnet alongwith the slider in response to fluid pressures, actuates themeansresponsive to the magnet to indicate an out-of-syrup or reverseflow condition.

Typically, two-portion hot chocolate dispensers are designed to give sixand eight ounce servings. The flavor concentrates now used for bestresults employ a 5: 1 ratio of water to syrup. In accordance with thepresent invention the positive displacement pump in the syrup circuitmoves the full volume of syrup required for the larger portion, and whena smaller portion is to be served, the syrup and water control assemblydiverts a portion of that syrup so that it does not reach the dischargenozzle of the machine.

In the drawing one embodimemt of this invention is illustrated, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hot chocolate dispenser constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the dispensershown in FIG. 1 with only the syrup circuit being illustrated forpurpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 with only thewater circuit shown;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the syrup and watercontrol assembly;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view through a preferred embodiment of areverse flow sensor in accordance with the present invention FIG. 7 is across sectional view of the slider thereof taken along line 7-7 of FIG.6;

FIG. 7A is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuitutilizing the sensor of FIG. 6;

- FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view through the center of an alternateembodiment of a reverse flow sensor in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuitutilizing the sensor of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view through the center of an alternateembodiment of a syrup supply can and associated structure for use in thebeverage dispenser of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view through a modified portion of a syrupand water control assembly showing a modification of the assembly shownin FIG. 4.

The beverage dispenser of this invention is designed to serve twodifferent size portions of hot chocolate. Before the machine isactuated, the selection is made by means of a control knob provided onthe front pane of the machine. The beverage dispenser shown includes ahousing 10 which contains a syrup delivery circuit 12 (FIG. 2), a waterdelivery circuit 14 (FIG. 3), and an electrical control circuit 16 (FIG.5). The housing 10 has a drip tray 18 attached to the bottom of itsfront wall and a mixing assembly 20 mounted above it. The assembly 20 isshown and described in detail in copending application Ser. No. 682,343filed Nov. 13, 1967 now' U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,887 entitled HOT BEVER- AGEDISPENSER. Included as part of the syrup circuit and the water circuitis a reserve cylinder and water control assembly 22 (FIG. 4) attached onthe inside of the housing 10 to the front panel 24.

The syrup circuit 12 is shown in FIG. 2, isolated both from theelectrical circuit and the water circuit for clarity. Chocolate syrupcan is mounted on shelf 32 forming part of the housing 10 and is coveredby the hood 34 (see FIG. 1) forming part of the housing. A dip tube 36carried by the can cover 38 extends downwardly into the can to theregion of the can bottom, and the top of the dip tube is connected bymeans ofa quick connect fitting and check valve assembly 40 to duct 42in turn connected to the cylinder 44 of positive displacement pump 45 inthe syrup circuit.

The pump 45 includes a piston 46 movable in the cylinder 44 and carriedon the end of piston rod 48 in turn operated by crank 50 connected tothe rotating cam 52 driven by the cam motor 54. As the cam 52 rotates,the crank 50 moves the piston 46 up and down in the cylinder 44 througheach revolution. The pump 45 is shown in the drawing to be mounted onpartition 56 in housing 10.

The outlet duct 58 of pump 45 is connected to the re serve cylinder andwater control assembly 22 whose syrup outlet 60 in turn extends out ofthe housing to the mixing chamber 20. The discharge duct 60 carries acheck valve 62 at its discharge end to prevent air or other matter fromentering the duct 60 and fouling or contaminating the syrup circuit andfor cutting off flow at the end of the pump cycle to eliminateafter-drip.

In FIG. 4 the syrup or reserve cylinder and water control assembly isshown in detail. The assembly 22 includes a metering chamber 64controlled by sliding piston 66. The chamber 64 serves as a reservoirfor the system so as to permit the syrup circuit to discharge either oneof two selected volumes of syrup. When the reserve piston 66 is lockedin the position shown in FIG. 4 the same volume of syrup drawn intocylinder 44 of pump'45 during the down stroke of the piston 46 will beexpelled through the check valve 62 when the piston rises during itsdischarge stroke. A recess 68 cut in the face of the reserve piston 66allows the syrup to flow from the duct 58 to the discharge duct 60during the positive stroke of the pump. The pump acts as a positivedisplacement pump, and the amount of the syrup displaced in the systemwill be exactly equal to the volume of displacement of the piston in acylinder.

The push rod 70 is provided to lock the reserve piston 66 in place sothat the amount of syrup discharged exactly equals the amount displacedby the pump 45. The push rod 70 carries a pair of ears 74 that aredisposed in slots 76 adjacent chamber 64. When the push rod is moved tothe right so that its end 78 engages the inner face 80 of the reservepiston 66, the ears 74 will just clear the ends of the slots 76, and thepush rod may be rotated so as to misalign the ears with the slots. Whenthis is done. the ears 74 will bear against the face 82 of flange 84 ofwater control housing 72 so as to retain the rod in its depressedposition. Consequently the reserve piston 66 will not be permitted tomove to the left as shown in the figure, and the chamber 64 will notcollect any of the syrup displaced by the pump 45;

However, when the rod 70 is in the position shown in FIG. 4 so that itdoes not interfere with movement of the reserve piston 66, it will beappreciated that when the piston 46 of the pump displaces syrup from itscylinder, a portion of that syrup will be allowed'to collect in thechamber 64 as the reserve piston 66 moves to the left. So long as thevolume displaced by pump 45 exceeds the maximum volume of the chamber64, the difference between the volumes will be dispensed through checkvalve 62 of outlet duct 60. Whatever syrup collects in the chamber 64due to displacement of the reserve piston 66 will be recollected in thecylinder 44 during the return stroke of piston 46. Thus by disabling thereserve piston 66 so that it cannot move, the quantity dispensed throughthe check valve 62 will equal the quantity of syrup displaced by thepump 45. If the reserve piston 66 is allowed to move to the left so asto expand the chamber 64, then the amount of syrup discharged'throughthe check valve 62 will be euqal to the quantity of syrup displaced bythe pump 45 minus that which is allowed to collect in the expandedchamber 64. Knob 86 secured to the front end of the push rod 70 andextending out of the housing at the front panel 24 enables an operatorto select the amount of syrup to be discharged by the syrup circuit 12.

The water circuit 14 shown in FIG. 3 is very similar to that shown incopending application Ser. No. 682,343 supra, and therefore it will bedescribed only briefly. The water circuit includes heating tanksupported on the bottom of the housing 10. The heating tank 100 is fedwater throughinlet duct 102, solenoid valve 104, reserve'cylinder andwater control assembly 22, and filler duct 106. Heated water isdischarged from tank 100 through outlet 108 which is connected throughan expansion chamber 110 to discharge duct 112. An overflow line 114 isconnected to the expansion chamber 1 l0 and is shown to have a dischargeport 116 immediately above drip tray 18. In order to discharge waterfrom the tank 100, the water must be displaced from the top by water fedinto it through duct 106. This is in turn controlled by the solenoidvalve 104. It will be noted that the solenoid valve 104 is on the coldwater side of the tank, which effectively prolongs the life of therubber parts of the valve.

The reserve cylinder and water control assembly 22 not only serves tometer the amount of syrup discharged into the mixing chamber 20, butalso serves to meter the quantity of water displaced from the tank 100.Reference again is made to FIG. 4 to illustrate this function. In thatfigure water control housing 72 is shown to include a main water inlet118, a water outlet 120, and a secondary water inlet 122. Secondarywater inlet 122 is connected to the outlet 120 through a valve 124defined by the conical configuration of push rod 70 which cooperateswith the conical seat 126 in housing 72. When the valve is closed asillustrated in FIG. 4, no water is allowed to pass from the secondaryinlet 122 to outlet 120, and the only water allowed to flow through thesystem is that which enters inlet 118. The push rod 70 does notinterfere with the flow of water between the inlet 118 and the outlet120. In FIG. 3 the solenoid valve 104 in the water circuit is shown tobe connected through flow control 128 to the primary inlet 118 of thereserve cylinder and water control assembly 22, and the outlet of thesolenoid 104 is also shown connected by means of duct 130 to thesecondary inlet 122 of the housing 72. The flow control 128 is ofstandard design and the details form no part of this invention. Sufficeit to say that it includes a needle valve adjustable through the frontof the housing as it extends out panel 24, and it also includes a rubberannular gasket which varies in size under pressure so as to provideconstant flow regardless of line'pressure. A flow control 129 located atthe inlet 122 performs the same function, but it is not adjustable.

To discharge water through duct 112 into the mixing chamber 20, thesolenoid valve 104 is opened, and the amount of water which flowsthrough the assembly 22 into the tank 100 exactly equals the amount ofwater which is discharged through the duct 112 into the mixing chamber.The quantity of water fed to the tank 100 -in a given interval dependsupon the position of push rod 70. When the pushrod is moved to the rightfrom the position shown in FIG. 4 so as to disable the reserve piston66, the valve .124 unseats so as to allow secondary water as well asprimary water to flow through the water control housing 72. However,when push rod 70 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, the valve 124 isclosed and only primary water flows. Thus, when a greater quantity ofsyrup is discharged through assembly 22 caused by the disabling ofreserve piston 66, a greater quantity of water also discharges into themixing chamber. This is explained more fully in connection with theoperation of the machine below.

Push rod 70 carries an O-ring 132 to prevent water from entering thechamber 64. Another O-ring 134 is carried on the push rod adjacent itsother end and prevents water from leaking about the rod in the directionof the knob 86.

The mixing chamber identical to that shown in application Ser. No.682,343 supra, contains a mixing impeller 136 driven by a whipper motor138. The whipper motor 138, gear motor 54, and solenoid valve 104 areall operated by the control circuit shown in FIG. 5.

, Connected across lines [J -1 and L-2 in the control circuit is heater140 of tank 100, which is controlled by thermostat 142 that may be setto control water temperature. A pilot light 144 is also connected acrossthe line, which indicates when the machine is on. The machine is turnedon by switch 146.

To dispense hot chocolate from the machine, starter switch 148 isdepressed, which immediately closes the circuit for gear motor 54, andthe motor starts to run and rotates cam 52. The crank 50 moves thepiston 46 upwardly in the cylinder to discharge syrup from the syrupcircuit. Simultaneously a pair of microswitches 150 and 152 shown inFIG. 5 move from their normally open position to the closed position.When the starter switch 148 is closed, it temporarily completes the circuit for the motor 138, and switch 150 immediately thereafter is closedby the cam driven by motor 54 so as to connect the whipper motor 138across the line through switch 154 forming part .of the sanitizingswitch assembly 156 described below and thus the whipper motor continuesto run after the switch 148 is released. As the gear motor 54 turns, thewhipper motor and solenoid valve circuits are both closed through theswitches 150 and 152 controlled by the cam 52, and water isdischargedthrough the water circuit 14 into the mixing chamber 20 and chocolatesyrup is discharged into the mixing chamber through the syrup circuit12. When the gear cam 52 turns through 180, the syrup feed willdiscontinue, and the piston 46 will move downwardly in the pump 45 torefill the cylinder. Typically, the gear motor 54 may rotate at six rpm,and one revolution or cycle of the cam 52 takes 10 seconds. In thisarrangement discharge of s ru from thes ru circuit consumes one-halfccle or y P y P y five seconds. The remaining five seconds of the cycleis consumed in refilling the pump 45. The cam 52 which operates theswitch 152 is designed to reopen the switch 152 after five seconds ofthe cycle, so that water flow is limited to that duration. During theremaining five seconds of the cycle, the whipper motor 138 continues tooperate to provide an after whip which is described fully in copendingapplication Ser. No. 682,343 supra. When the cam completes its cycle,the normally open switch 150 reopens. The foregoing description of thecontrol circuit cycle applies equally to situations where the dispenseris discharging either a small or a large portion. That is, theten-second cycle described applies whether or not the push rod 70 is inthe depressed or released position.

The control circuit of FIG. 5 permits hot water to be drawn from thedispenser without syrup. Switch 160 is provided for that purpose. Whenthat switch is closed, the solenoid valve 104 is connected across thelines Ll.

- and L2, and it is energized without energizing the motors 54 and 138which drive the whipper and the cam. So long as the switch 160 is closedthe hot water will discharge from the machine.

As is evident above, with the assembly 22 an operator may select betweentwo sizes of drinks which may be dispensed by the machine. Typically thetwo sizes are six and eight ounces. A conventional chocolate syrup tohot water ratio is 1:5, and therefore in a six ounce drink, one ounce ofsyrup is mixed with five ounces of water. To preserve the ratio, in aneight ounce drink, 1.33 ounces of syrup are mixed with 6.67 ounces ofwater. In the machine described, the pump 45 is designed to deliver 1.33fluid ounces of chocolate in the pump cycle. It will be understood thatthis quantity may be varied by changing the length of the crank arm 50etablished by cam 52. The capacity of the chamber 64 in the assembly 22is 0.33 fluid ounces of syrup. There fore, if the push rod 70 is in itsdepressed position barring operation of the reserve piston 66, 1.33ounces of chocolate will be dispensed from the pump 44 through thesystem into the mixing chamber 20. If on the other hand the reservepiston is allowed to move in response to operation of the pump 45, ofthe 1.33 ounces displaced by the pump 0.33 ounces will be captured inthe expansion chamber 64 so that only one ounce of chocolate will bedischarged into the mixing chamber 20. As for the water circuit, if thestem 70 is depressed to disable the reserve piston, the secondary waterinlet 122 is opne so as to allow 1.67 ounces of water to flow in fourseconds through the water control housing to the discharge por 120 andinto the mixing chamber 20. The water circuit is designed also to pumpfive ounces of water through inlet 118 of the water control housing andinto the mixing chamber during the four second operation of the solenoidvalve. Consequently with the push rod depressed, 1.33 ounces ofchocolate are mixed with 6.67 ounces of water, while with the push rodin its outer position, one ounce of chocolate is discharged with fiveounces of water.

A desirable feature of any consumable beverage dispenser is that it becapable of being cleaned and sanitized easily and effectively. Mostdispensers require some dismantling of the flavor concentrate flowcircuit with subsequent sanitizing by immersing and washing in asanitizing solution. This dispenser however, may be sanitized veryeasily as follows: The main on-off switch 146 is turned off, thechocolate syrup container 30 is replaced by a container of hotsanitizing solution, and an empty container is placed beneath the mixingchamber nozzle 21. By throwing the sanitizing switch 156 to the onposition (opposite to that illustrated), the gear motor 54 rotates andthe hot water solution is fed through the syrup circuit. By allowing thesolution to run through the machine for perhaps three minutes, allowingsolution to remain in the syrup circuit for an additional minute or two,and then again flushing the system, the solution will totally clean thesyrup circuit of all residual chocolate. By this means all of theinternal parts in contact with the syrup are cleansed, including thepump and reserve system, check valves and associated transport tubing.Thus this operation may be carried out without dismantling the machineother than the chocolate syrup'container itself.

Turning now to FIG. 12 a modification of the sliding piston arrangementwithin the reserve cylinder and water control assembly 22 is shown. Inthis modification, the reserve cylinder and water control assembly areidentical to that described with respect to FIG. 4 except that thesliding piston 66 aid its associated O- ring type gasket 66A is replacedwith a diaphragm piston member indicated generally at 200. The diaphragmpiston member comprises a rubber or other resilient plastic diaphragm201 mounted in the walls of the me tering chamber or reservoir 64 byclamps 202. A central portion of the diaphragm 201 defines a circularflat area 203 to which is attached a piston head 204. The pisto'n head204 is not connected to the end of push rod 70 but contacts the end ofpush rod 70 in the furthest extremity of travel to left of the head 204.The head 204 is preferably of a rigid plastic in disc form althoughother rigid materials can be used. The push rod and its associatedspring 70A operate in exactly the same manner as described with respectto the embodiment of FIG. 4. Thus spring 70A acts to hold the push rod70 in its withdrawn position (i.e. small volume position) to therebyblock the secondary water path and reduce the volume of water dispensedin a single cycle. The full lines of the diaphragm shown in FIG. 12indicate the small volume drink position of the piston head 204 andassociated diaphragm. Movement to the right to the dotted line positionshown in FIG. 12 indicates the .large volume position of the piston head204 and diaphragm portion 201. Thus, the piston diaphragm arrangement ofFIG. 12 operates as does the sliding piston 66 and is actuated in thesame manner within the reserve cylinder and water control assembly 22.However, since the diaphragm is continuous, there is no chance ofleakage through a gasket seal such as gasket 66A of FIG. 4.

With reference now to FIG. 11, an alternate syrup supply structure isshown which is more fully described in copending application Ser. No.36,863 filed May 13, 1970 entitled LIQUID DISPENSING SYSTEM whichapplication is incorporated by reference herein. As described in thatapplication, the syrup supply portion of the dispenser shown in'FIG. 2is modified as shown in FIG. 11 to obtain an improved fluid hopper. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 11, the duct 42 passes upwardly to the can 30which is supported on the shelf 32 forming part of the housing 10. Thecan 30 is connected by means of the duct 42 to the cylinder 44 of thepump. The can 30 has an opened bottom end 260. The can can be opened bya common electric or manual knurled wheel drive can opener or any otherconvenient tool. The opened end 260 of the can is covered by a lid 262having a closure wall 264 and an upwardly extending peripheral skirt 266which lies about the outer surface of the lower end of the cylindricalwall of the can. The lid 262 is preferably formed of a resilient plasticmaterial. A pair of tabs 268 extend from opposite sides of the top edgeof the skirt to facilitate removal and installation of the lid 262.

A dispensing nipple 270 in the form of a duck bill check is formed atthe center of the closure wall 264. The nipple 270 has a generallycylindrical body 272 which terminates in converging walls 274 and adownwardly extending central flap 276. The flap is cut as shown at 278but no material is removed so that no stresses are applied to the nippleand the flap sides are engaged to close the cut or slit and prevent flowthrough the nipple.

A second nipple 280 in the form ofa duck bill check extends upwardlyfrom the closure wall 264 of the lid adjacent its periphery and has acylindrical wall 282, converging wall 284 and flap 286 with a slit 288that may be identical to the corresponding parts of the nipple 270.

A rigid backup plate 290 lies within the closure wall 264 of the lid 62and hasan opening 202 through which the nipple 280 extends into theinterior of the can, 30. The periphery 294 of the backup plate 290 restson the bead 261 of the can 30 to provide stiffness for the lid 262 andperform other functions. The backup plate 290 also carries as anintegral part thereof a cylindrical sleeve 296 which fits within thenipple 270 and supports it in the position shown. The sleeve 296 has abead 298 on its outer surface, which stretches the nipple 270 and formsa corresponding bead 300 on the nipple wall 272.

A check housing 302 is mounted on the platform 32 of the dispenserhousing 10 and its lower end 304 of reduced diameter is connected to theend of the duct 42 which carries the syrup from the can 30 to the pump.The check housing 302 is sized to receive the nipple 270 when supportedon the sleeve 296, and a circular seat 306 is provided on the innersurface of the housing 302 so as to receive the bead 300 formed in thenipple 270 by the corresponding bead 298 on the sleeve 296.

In operation, the nipples 270 and 280 perform two separate butinterrelated functions. By making the slits 278 and 288 sharp andcleanly defined slices without removing material, thin hairline slitsare formed which will close by elastomeric memory once the slittingknife or tool used to form it is removed. Thus, each nipple serves as acheck valve which will not leak liquid during the normal gravity headconditions. When the lid 262 is used in the dispenser of FIGS. l5, checkvalve 40 can be eliminated since the nipple 270 functions as a and pump,this column of air becomes compressed dur-.

ing the pump discharge stroke and a small amount of reverse flow of thesyrup results. This small reverse flow is utilized in the reverse flowindicator of this invention the preferred embodiment of which isillustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 7A and 8 at 400.

The sensor 400 has a hollow cylindrical housing formed of upper andlower halves 401 and 402 joined midway in their cylindrical wall at 403with upper and lower duct fitting ends 404 and 405. Flow through thesensor is normally in the direction of arrow 419 when the sensor isconnected in duct 42 preferably between the first check valve such as 40or 270 and the cylinder 44.

The inner configuration of the housing is in the form of an ippercylindrical section or chamber 406 which backflow prevention check valveto stop all substantial backflow in the system.

The nipple 270 serves as a unidirectional flow check valve in the syrupinlet to the pump. Nipple 280 allows air intake into the can to relievepressure differences. Thus, the nipples 270 and 280 keep the system inpressure eequilibrium during the dispensing cycle as more fullydescribed in the above-noted copending United States patent applicationSer. No. 36,863.

As described above, with either the syrup supply of FIG. 2 or that ofFIG. II, the drink dispense button results in water and syrup beingdelivered to a mixing chamber in proper ratio in amount for a presetsize drink. For example, when using the syrup supply of FIG. 11, thismay be a six fluid ounce drink comprising one fluid ounce of syrup andfive fluid ounces of water. Under these conditions, a No. 2 /2 sizesyrup can gives approximately 26 drinks before emptying the can,excluding the roughly four fluid ounces required to fill the syrupcircuit, while a No. 10 size can would give approximately'96 drins.

Using the dispenser as described above, the advantages described aboveare obtained; however, the syrup can be exhausted from the syrupcontainer before an operator is alerted to the fact that a weak drink isabout to be dispensed. Under most conditions, the dispenser is installedin so-called fast service restaurants where little time or attention isallowed to check the amount of syrup left in the can. Since the syruplevel is not readily observable, it is common for the can and syrupcircuits to be exhausted of syrup without the knowledge of the operator.For this reason, it is preferred to have a device which alerts theoperator to the instant in time when the can is just becoming empty butthe syrup circuit is still virtually full.

As noted above, the flow of syrup in the syrup circuit is only in onedirection and is governed by the orientation of the check valves such as40 and 62 or 270 in place of 40. However, in one condition there is aslight reversal of syrup flow which occurs when the syrup reservoir doesnot contain enough syrup to fill the syrup circuit and air hasbeen'drawn into the syrup circuit. During the pump discharge stroke,pressure is developed in the syrup transport tubing which causes flowhouses an upper umbrella-shaped portion 407 of a check valve slider 408.A lower, smaller diameter cylindrical section 409 houses a cylindricalmagnet 410. A bottom cylindrical section 411 of still smaller diameter 7houses a duck bill 414 of the slider 408.

' slightly smaller than the housing section 409 and its inner diametricsurface is sized tocoincide with the outside diameter of the cylindricalportion of the slider which is preferably elastomeric. The entire slideris preferably formed of-a rubber or other elastomeric or resilientmaterial. A flat, upper end of the magnet is preferably dimensioned tounderlie a flat portion 413 of the slider. The longitudinal length ofthe magnet provides guiding of the magnet in the housing through its 1normal distance of operating travel.

The slider 408 acts as a check valve and is of generally cylindricalshape having an internal, cylindrical, syrup passageway which convergesto a rectangular shape narrow clearance 414 opened at the end by a slit415 and is thus in the general shape of a duck bill nipple such as 280.The cylindrical portion of the slider coincides with the longitudinalextent of the magnet while the rectangular portion extends beyond themagnet into the lower cylindrical section of the housing. The upper,umbrella-shaped slider portion of the check valve slider has an outerdiameter such that it normally grips the inside diameter of thecylindrical portion 406 and provides a slight degree of resistance tomovement. The magnet and slider are mechanically linked together so asto move together as a single unit.

A magnetic reed'switch 420 having electrical leads 421 and 423 ispositioned in operative association with the magnet 410. As known in theart, the reed switch has an evacuated and sealed glass envelope 422 withmetallic contacts 424 mounted on spring strips and constituting anelectrical, signal output portion of the sensor. The magneticsusceptibility of the spring strips is such that an influencing magneticfield of sufficient strength overcomes the biasing force of the springsand causes the contacts to close to complete a circuit. The leads 421and 423 can be interconnected to suitable electrical circuitry as willbe described, as in the dispenser 10, to interrupt operation of thedispenser on proper demand. The position of the reed switch as shown inFIG. 6 is such that the magnet 410 holds the switch in its closedposition when the syrup container fully supplies the syrup circuit. Thereed switch opens upon movement of the magnet in an upward directionfrom that shown in FIG. 6.

The sensor 400 is installed in the syrup line such as 42 between thesyrup reservoir and the pump and when the syrup circuit is full, thesensor remains in the position shown in FIG. 6. Unidirectional flow ofsyrup in the direction of arrow 419 results in a pressure differentialacross the slit of the check valve slider which keeps the movableportion of the sensor in position since the only path for syrup flow isthrough the area of the slit.

Preferably sensor 400 is far enough away from the syrup reservoir topermit an optimum amount of air to enter the syrup circuit uponexhaustion of the syrup reservoir and thus result in a measurable amountof compression of the air and reverse flow of syrup during the pumpstroke without air going beyond the sensor in the syrup circuit.

Once the syrup reservoir has been drained of syrup, on the next refillstroke of the pump, air is drawn into the syrup circuit. This column ofair is of sufficient size to be compressed or displaced during the pumpstroke, yet, not so large as to exhaust the system of syrup. The airmust be upstream of the sensor to permit the syrup in the pump toreverse flow in the direction of the sensor. However, the duck billprevents reverse flow through the slit 415.

In one application, the sensor 400 is located right at the inlet to thepump thus resulting in approximately 12 inches of inch inside diameter,reinforced flexible tubing between the sensor and the syrup reservoir.Typically, about 4 inches of this tubing is filled with air during thepump refill stroke at the instant the syrup reservoir is exhausted ofsyrup. This represents approximately 0.44-cubic inches or A fluid ounce.During the pressure stroke the system pressure builds up to as high aspsig, resulting in this column of air being compressed from 4 inches inlength of tubing to approximately 1.3 inches or a resultant reversemovement of syrup of 2.7 inches. Since the sensor slider 408 need moveonly approximately inch to deactivate the reed switch, adequate reversemovement of the slider can easily be achieved.

Once reverse flow of the syrup begins, the slit in the sensor valvecloses tightly due to the pressure differential. This syrup pressurethen acts against the projected area of the magnet and check valvethereby causing the slider and magnet to move upwardly.

The umbrella section at the top of the check valve slider 408 serves twopurposes. First, it prevents air from bypassing around the check valveduring reverse flow and second it serves to hold the magnet in place inthe raised position by virtue of the friction resulting from the slightinterference between the rubber or elastomeric material of the sliderand the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the size of magnet is 0.600 inches in axiallength, inside diameter of 0.438 inches, outside diameter of 0.750inches and has pole positions top to bottom with a field strength ofsufficient magnitude to close the contacts of a reed switch v of toamp-turns rating. With these specifications, inches of travel of themagnet provides a positive break in contact in the reed switch under allconditions.

The associated electric circuitry for the sensor 400 is illustrated inFIG. 8 where the circuit 450 is basically identical to the circuitdescribed with regard to FIG. 5 with the additional reed switchcomponent added along with a relay 451 and an out-of-syrup light 452connected as shown. This circuitry assures that continuous operation ofthe dispenser is interrupted whenever the reed contacts are open.Voltage to the pump drive or gear motor 54 is dependent upon acontinuous circuit through the reed switch. To initiate a drink dispensecycle, the push start button 146 is depressed and released. Themomentary contact of the normally opened switch starts the gear motorwhich through a cam arrangement depresses the button of the cam operatedmicroswitch which maintains the voltage to the gear motor 54 until themotor output shaft has made one revolution. At this point, the camdisengages the switch and the motor stops. This constitutes one drinkdispense cycle. Whenever air is drawn into the syrup circuit, thereverse travel of the sensor slider 408 causes the reed switch to open,thus stopping the gear motor 54 in midpump stroke. Depressing the pushstart button will not restart the cycle until the reed switch is againclosed.

A neon bulb 452 with high resistance is located in parallel with thereed switch. During periods when the reed switch contacts are closed,the current flow is principally through the reed switch, thus, there isinsufficient voltage to the neon bulb 452 to activate it due to the highresistance. When the reed switch contacts are opened, current flow isthrough the neon bulb and the resistance is sufficiently high to dropthe voltage to the relay coil of relay 51 to a point where it will notoperate. In this way a visual warning is provided which automaticallyindicates when the dispenser is out of syrup. The out-of-syrup light 452can be located on the front panel of the dispenser.

The electromagnetic relay 451 which is preferably a single pole, singlethrow electromagnetic relay is used between the reed switch and the gearmotor to isolate the current load of the motor from the reed contacts.This eliminates the tendency for arcing to take place at the reed switchcontacts thus giving prolonged switch life.

When the dispenser is stopped due to movement of the slider. 408, theempty syrup reservoir is replaced with a full one and the fill orsanitizer switch 156 is engaged. This switch bypasses all othercircuitry and operates the gear motor independently. Since the gearmotor (pump) 54 is stopped on midpump stroke it completes the pumpstroke and proceeds to a refill stroke, thus drawing new sytup into thesyrup circuit. This results in entrapped air being drawn along with thesyrup, through the sensor and into the pump where it can no longeraffect the sensor. Ordinarily this takes just the remaining cycle of thepump to transfer the air and reset the magnet which re-engages the reedswitch in the closed position. At this point, the light 452 goes outindicating that the dispenser is ready for further use.

It will be seen from the above disclosure that the reverse flow sensoris ideally suited to many applications including use in the hot drinkdispensers of this invention. The sensor is capable of being sanitizedwithout dismantling. Thus, the magnet is inert and nonporous and thecheck valve can be formulated of FDA approved plastics and the likeenabling easy cleaning with hot water during periodic sanitizing of thehot drink dispenser. The sensor is highly reliable and accurate andrelatively insensitive to damage by handling since the magnet and checkvalve slider are not free to move within the sensor unless influenced bythe flow of syrup avoiding damage or displacement due to dropping orjarring in shipment or use. The signal output from the reed switch iseasily discernible to the naked eye from the outisde of the machine.Changes in physical properties of the chocolate syrups used due toatmospheric changes and the like do not affect the sensor since the flowcharacteristics which activate the sensor are not thereby affected. Noancillary equipment is necessary in the circuitry of the hot drinkdispensers and no field changes or adjustments need be made. Moreover,the sensor is easily and simply reset after shut down as describedabove. The sensor is further low in cost, compact and integral with thedispensers of this invention.

In an alternative sensor system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a sensor 500 isused with all parts being identical to corresponding numbered parts ofthe sensor of FIG. 6. The only difference is that the check valve sliderdoes not have the umbrella-shaped section at its upper end but rathermerely the flat portion 413 completely overlying the magnet and havingan outer diameter spaced from the inner diameter of .the cylindricalchamber 501. The system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 allows the magnet tofree move in the straight cylindrical wall of the valve housing. Thus,the magnet is not held in position once it has been raised by reverseflow, but, is allowed to seek a reset position both by free settling andinfluence of restored normal flow.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, a gravity is used to return the slider toits lowermost position when the back pressure is released. However, ifdesired, a low force return spring can be used in chamber 510 to biasthe slider to its lowermost or seated position. Because of the close fitof the rim 413 and the cylindrical chamber 510 only an extremely smallinsignificant amount of syrup leakage occurs past the check valve sliderduring compression of the air. l The electrical circuitry is slightlymodified over that shown in FIG. 8 in that, in place ofa single pole,single throw electromagnetic relay used in FIG. 8, a double pole, doublethrow relay 460 is used. The double pole, double throw relay 460 acts asa holding relay, maintaining the pump circuit inoperative regardless ofwhether the reed switch is closed or opened once it has been opened byone backflow pulse and upward movement of the magnet.

The circuit of FIG. 10 functions as follows: power to energize the relaycoil of relay 460 comes from the output side (common) of'a cam operatedgear motor switch 461 (B to 4) or directly from the power input (D to 2)depending upon whether the reed switch is closed and sequence of eventsleading up to the contacts closing. On initial start up of the hot drinkdispenser, the

' sanitize'switch 156 is engaged through the normally closed contacts(upper half of the switch) which supplies input power to the gear motor54. As the gear motor rotates the drive cam, the cam operated gear motorswitch is closed and power is fed through E to the relay coil through 4.Since the magnet will be down due to free settling, the reed switch isclosed and the relay closes, making the circuit from D to 4. In thiscondition, the relay coil is maintained energized as long as the reedswitch is closed. At the same time, the power input through D-2-4 is fedto 3, thus establishing a working circuit to the push start switch 148and the lower half of the sanitize switch to pennit normal operation ofthe dispenser on demand.

As previously described, the cam operated gear motor switch sustains theoperation of the gear motor through one revolution of the drive cam (onedrink dispense cycle) after the push start button has been released. Aslong as the reed switch is closed, the circuit remains and power isavailable for normal operation.

However, when air is drawn into the syrup circuit upon exhaustion of thereservoir, the magnet is raised as in the embodiment of FIG. 6 thuspermitting the reed switch contacts to open. When this happens, therelay coil circuit is opened and the relay contacts revert back to thenormally opened condition where they are maintained by a biased spring.Should the magnet settle back into place and reclose the reed switchcontacts, the relay coil cannot be re-energized because the powercircuit from D is being maintained open.

A warning light 452 (out-of-syrup light) is used as in the embodiment ofFIG. 6 through the circuit D to neon bulb to 1 to 4 to B through the camoperated gear motor switch which is still made at the point where thegear motor is shut down at midcycle, then to F, through the gear motorto G. Because of the high resistance of the neon bulb, the voltage dropis sufficient to prevent the gear motor from running.

To restart the system with a replenished syrup reservoir, the procedureis basically the same as with the embodiment of FIG. 6. Engaging thesanitize switch runs the gear motor to refill the pump, thus removingthe air from the inlet tubing and'simultaneously restoring the voltageto the relay coil thus resetting it for normal operation.

While the reverse flow sensors of this invention have been described inconnection with hot drink dispensers, the sensors can be used in anysystem which depends upon a preferred direction of flow of a gas orliquid for normal operation in which reverse flow is deemedunacceptable. Other systems in which the reverse flow sensor could beused include effluent treatment systems where it is undesirable foruntreated waste materials to contaminate treated effluents. Similarly incarbonated water transfer systems, uncarbonated water being transportedin conventional copper pipe lines to a carbonating system can bemonitored by the sensors of this invention. A reverse flow indicator isimportant here to prevent backflow of carbonated water.

What is claimed is: l. A two liquid metering assembly comprising, ahousing and a chamberinthe housing, a piston movable in the chamber, afirst liquid inlet and outlet connected to the chamber on one side ofthe piston, a primary and secondary liquid flow path through thehousing, a valve in the secondary flow path for opening and closing it,and means for simultaneously controlling said valve and said piston. 2.A two liquid metering assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidpiston comprises a movable diaphragm.

3. A two liquid metering assembly in accordancewith,

claim 1 wherein said means for simultaneously controlling said valve andsaid piston comprises a stem for opening and closing said valve.

4. A two liquid metering assembly in accordance with claim 3 whereinsaid stem engages said piston on a second side of said piston to preventsaid piston from moving when said valve is open.

5. A two liquid metering assembly comprising a housing and a chamber inthe housing,

a piston movable in the chamber,

a first liquid inlet and outlet connected to the chamber on one side ofthe piston,

a primary and secondary second liquid flow path through the housing,

a valve in the secondary flow path for opening and closing it, 1

and a stem connected to the valve for opening and closing it,

said stem engaging the piston to prevent it from moving when the valveis open.

6. A two liquid metering assembly in accordance with claim 5 whereinsaid piston comprises a movable diaphragm.

7. A two liquid metering assembly as described in claim 5 furthercharacterized by said piston being free to move away from said one sideof the piston to enable said chamber to receive said first liquid whensaid piston is not engaged by the stem,

and means in the housing for connecting the inlet and outlet when thepiston is engaged by the stem.

8. A two liquid metering assembly as described in claim 7 furthercharacterized by said primary and secondary flow paths having separateinlets and a common outlet.

9. A two liquid metering assembly as described in claim 7 furthercharacterized by a spring in the chamber and engaging the piston on oneend and the stem on the other for yieldably urging the stem to said oneside thereof.

10. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 9 further characterizedby flow regulators in the primary and secondary paths of water circuitto cause each to pass a constant volume flow of water during a setperiod of time with changes in line pressure.

11. A beverage dispenser comprising a housing with a first fluid circuitand a second fluid circuit in the housing, a mixing chamber mounted onsaid housing and connected to the outlet of the first and secondcircuits for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid together anddirecting the mixture to a cup or other container,

means forming part of each of said circuits for causing said circuits todirect first and second fluids to the mixing chamber,

a diverting chamber in one of the circuits for receiving a portion ofthe fluid in said circuit directed to the mixing chamber for reducingthe quantity of said fluid which reaches the mixing chamber,

adjusting means connected to the diverting chamber for changing theamount of fluid that may be received by said diverting chamber,

and means forming part of the other of the circuits for changing theamount of fluid that is directed by it to the mixing chamber.

12. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 11 wherein said firstfluid circuit is a watercircuit and said second fluid circuit is a syrupcircuit.

13. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 12 and furthercomprising a liquid dispensing system connected to said syrup circuitand adapted to draw contents from a container opened at one end andcomprising,

a lid having a closure wall and made of a flexible material designed tofit over the opened end of the container and form a seal about thecontainer end,

a nipple connected to the closure wall and extending from the wall awayfrom the container, said nipple being normally closed and remainingclosed under the head of the liquid in the container when the containeris oriented with its opened end facing down,

a rigid backup plate disposed against the inner face of the closure wallof the lid and adapted to lie against the opened end of the containerwhen the lid is mounted on said container,

and a fitting for receiving the nipple and forming a seal with its outersurface, said fitting being capable of connecting the nipple to a ductfor conveying the liquid to a desired location.

14. A liquid dispenser in accordance with claim 13 and furthercomprising,

venting means forming a part of the lid for venting the container.

15. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 13 and furthercomprising a reverse flow sensor in said syrup circuit, said sensorcomprising,

a chamber,

a check valve slider in said chamber,

a magnet carried by said slider for movement therewith,

said slider defining an opening permitting flow of fluid therethrough inone direction and impeding fluid flow in a second direction so thatfluid flow toward said second direction acts to move said slider in saidsecond direction,

and magnetic responsive means for reacting to movement of said slider.

16. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 12 and furthercomprising a reverse flow sensor for detetmining an out-of-syrupcondition, said sensor comprising,

a chamber,

a check valve slider in said chamber,

a magnet carried by said slider for movement therewith,

said slider defining an opening permitting flow of fluid therethrough inone direction and impeding fluid fow in a second direction so that fluidflow in said second direction acts to move said slider in said firstdirection,

amd magnetic responsive means for reacting to movement of said slider.

17. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 16 wherein saidmagnetic responsive means is a reed switch responsive to movement ofsaid magnetto make and break an electrical circuit.

18. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 17 wherein said sensoris interconnected with said syrup circuit and said electrical circuit.

19. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 18 and furthercomprising,

means in said electric circuit for permitting cleaning and flushing ofsaid syrup circuit and sensor with a fluid.

20. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 12 further characterizedby the last recited means being controlled by the adjusting means tosimultaneously change the quantities of liquid directed by each circuitto the mixing chamber.

21. A beverage dispenser as described in claim further characterized bysaid diverting chamber being disposed in the syrup circuit,

a positive displacement pump in said syrup circuit for moving syrupthrough that circuit under pressure,

said adjusting means including a movable partition in said divertingchamber for altering the capacity of said diverting chamber.

22. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 21 further characterizedby said last-recited means including primary and secondary water flowpaths-in the water circuit,

a valve in said secondary flow path for preventing flow through saidpath so as to limit the water fed to the mixing chamber to that whichflows through the primary path,

and means including a stem connected to the valve for opening andclosing the valve and controlling the position of the partition.

23. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 22 further characterizedby a cylinder in part defining said diverting chamber and said partitionbeing a piston movable in said cylinder,

an inlet and outlet fitting in one end of the cylinder and connected inthe syrup circuit,

a passage provided in the cylinder connecting the fittings together whenthe piston is disposed adjacent their end of the cylinder so thatoperation of the pump will cause syrup to flow through the flavorcircuit without interruption from the cylinder,

the pressure in the syrup circuit created by operation of the pumpurging the piston toward the other end of the cylinder so as to enlargesaid diverting chamher,

said stem preventing movement of the piston in response to that pressurewhen the valve in the water circuit is open.

a water heating tank mounted in the housing and the water circuit,

a solenoid valve in the water circuit for opening and closing thecircuit,

and a motor in the housing connected to the pump for driving the pump inthe syrup circuit.

26. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 25 further characterizedby said positive displacement pump including a pump cylinder and pumppiston,

a duct connecting the tube to one side of the pump cylinder and anotherduct connecting that side of the pump cylinder to the inlet fitting onthe diverting chamber,

and means interconnecting the motor and the pump piston for driving thepiston through one cycle during each operation of the motor, said pistonfirst discharging the contents of the pump cylinder and then refillingthe pump cylinder from the contents of the syrup container and thediverting chamber,

and an electrical control circuit connected to the solenoid and motorfor running the motor and opening the valve for a selected interval.

27. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 26 further characterizedby said diverting chamber having a volume which is a preselectedproportion of the volume displaced by the pump, whereby the ratio'of thevolume of the pump to the volume of the combined flow through theprimary and secondary paths is equal to the ratio of the volume of thepump minus that of the diverting chamber to the volume of the flowthrough the primary path.

28. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 26 wherein saidelectric control circuit provides means for dispensing different sizeportions in equal time periods.

UNITED STATES PATENT onion L CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. t dFeb.

Inventor(s) John A. Gardner, Jr.; Merle S. Brown It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the title page, show the Assignee as Jet Spray Cooler, Inc. waltham,Mass.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, show numerals 70A and 66A. Correct "Wold" toWolf-- for Attorney, Agent, or Firm. Column 3; line 26, change "pane" to-panel-- Column. 4; line 51, change "euqal" to equal-. Column '7; line4, change "etab-" to --estab-;

Y line 20, change "por" to "port";

. line 58, change. aid" to "--iand--.' Column 8; line 61,] change ".62"to' 9262- I same line.,fchange "202" to -292.

' 7 Column 9; line 30, change "eequilibrium' to -equilibrium--';

7 line 44-, change "drins" to --dri'n1 s--. Column 10; line 21, change"ipper" to ---upper--;

line 28', change "sufface" to --surface-; I line 42, after "shape" addof". "w Column 11; line 59, after "of" add --the- Column 12; line 51,change "sytup" to --symp- Column 13; line 32 after "FIG. 9," cancel "a".

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: v v I v McCOY M; GIBsQ QJj Q I a c. MARSHALL DANN'Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-lOSO (10-69) uscoMM-DC60376-P69 a 1.5. eovlawutur PRINTING orncs: use: 0-365-334.

1. A two liquid metering assembly comprising, a housing and a chamber inthe housing, a piston movable in the chamber, a first liquid inlet andoutlet connected to the chamber on one side of the piston, a primary andsecondary liquid flow path through the housing, a valve in the secondaryflow path for opening and closing it, and means for simultaneouslycontrolling said valve and said piston.
 2. A two liquid meteringassembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston comprises amovable diaphragm.
 3. A two liquid metering assembly in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said means for simultaneously controlling said valve andsaid piston comprises a stem for opening and closing said valve.
 4. Atwo liquid metering assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein saidstem engages said piston on a second side of said piston to prevent saidpiston from moving when said valve is open.
 5. A two liquid meteringassembly comprising a housing and a chamber in the housing, a pistonmovable in the chamber, a first liquid inlet and outlet connected to thechamber on one side of the piston, a primary and secondary second liquidflow path through the housing, a valve in the secondary flow path foropening and closing it, and a stem connected to the valve for openingand closing it, said stem engaging the piston to prevent it from movingwhen the valve is open.
 6. A two liquid metering assembly in accordancewith claim 5 wherein said piston comprises a movable diaphragm.
 7. A twoliquid metering assembly as described in claim 5 further characterizedby said piston being free to move away from said one side of the pistonto enable said chamber to receive said first liquid when said piston isnot engaged by the stem, and means in the housing for connecting theinlet and outlet when the piston is engaged by the stem.
 8. A two liquidmetering assembly as described in claim 7 further characterized by saidprimary and secondary flow paths having separate inlets and a commonoutlet.
 9. A two liquid metering assembly as described in claim 7further characterized by a spring in the chamber and engaging the pistonon one end and the stem on the other for yieldably urging the stem tosaid one side thereof.
 10. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 9further characterized by flow regulators in the primary and secondarypaths of water circuit to cause each to pass a constant volume flow ofwater during a set period of time with changes in line pressure.
 11. AbEverage dispenser comprising a housing with a first fluid circuit and asecond fluid circuit in the housing, a mixing chamber mounted on saidhousing and connected to the outlet of the first and second circuits formixing the first fluid and the second fluid together and directing themixture to a cup or other container, means forming part of each of saidcircuits for causing said circuits to direct first and second fluids tothe mixing chamber, a diverting chamber in one of the circuits forreceiving a portion of the fluid in said circuit directed to the mixingchamber for reducing the quantity of said fluid which reaches the mixingchamber, adjusting means connected to the diverting chamber for changingthe amount of fluid that may be received by said diverting chamber, andmeans forming part of the other of the circuits for changing the amountof fluid that is directed by it to the mixing chamber.
 12. A beveragedispenser in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first fluid circuitis a water circuit and said second fluid circuit is a syrup circuit. 13.A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 12 and further comprisinga liquid dispensing system connected to said syrup circuit and adaptedto draw contents from a container opened at one end and comprising, alid having a closure wall and made of a flexible material designed tofit over the opened end of the container and form a seal about thecontainer end, a nipple connected to the closure wall and extending fromthe wall away from the container, said nipple being normally closed andremaining closed under the head of the liquid in the container when thecontainer is oriented with its opened end facing down, a rigid backupplate disposed against the inner face of the closure wall of the lid andadapted to lie against the opened end of the container when the lid ismounted on said container, and a fitting for receiving the nipple andforming a seal with its outer surface, said fitting being capable ofconnecting the nipple to a duct for conveying the liquid to a desiredlocation.
 14. A liquid dispenser in accordance with claim 13 and furthercomprising, venting means forming a part of the lid for venting thecontainer.
 15. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 13 andfurther comprising a reverse flow sensor in said syrup circuit, saidsensor comprising, a chamber, a check valve slider in said chamber, amagnet carried by said slider for movement therewith, said sliderdefining an opening permitting flow of fluid therethrough in onedirection and impeding fluid flow in a second direction so that fluidflow toward said second direction acts to move said slider in saidsecond direction, and magnetic responsive means for reacting to movementof said slider.
 16. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 12 andfurther comprising a reverse flow sensor for detetmining an out-of-syrupcondition, said sensor comprising, a chamber, a check valve slider insaid chamber, a magnet carried by said slider for movement therewith,said slider defining an opening permitting flow of fluid therethrough inone direction and impeding fluid fow in a second direction so that fluidflow in said second direction acts to move said slider in said firstdirection, amd magnetic responsive means for reacting to movement ofsaid slider.
 17. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 16wherein said magnetic responsive means is a reed switch responsive tomovement of said magnet to make and break an electrical circuit.
 18. Abeverage dispenser in accordance with claim 17 wherein said sensor isinterconnected with said syrup circuit and said electrical circuit. 19.A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 18 and further comprising,means in said electric circuit for permitting cleaning and flushing ofsaid syrup circuit and sensor with a fluid.
 20. A beverage dispenser asdescribed in claiM 12 further characterized by the last recited meansbeing controlled by the adjusting means to simultaneously change thequantities of liquid directed by each circuit to the mixing chamber. 21.A beverage dispenser as described in claim 20 further characterized bysaid diverting chamber being disposed in the syrup circuit, a positivedisplacement pump in said syrup circuit for moving syrup through thatcircuit under pressure, said adjusting means including a movablepartition in said diverting chamber for altering the capacity of saiddiverting chamber.
 22. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 21further characterized by said last-recited means including primary andsecondary water flow paths in the water circuit, a valve in saidsecondary flow path for preventing flow through said path so as to limitthe water fed to the mixing chamber to that which flows through theprimary path, and means including a stem connected to the valve foropening and closing the valve and controlling the position of thepartition.
 23. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 22 furthercharacterized by a cylinder in part defining said diverting chamber andsaid partition being a piston movable in said cylinder, an inlet andoutlet fitting in one end of the cylinder and connected in the syrupcircuit, a passage provided in the cylinder connecting the fittingstogether when the piston is disposed adjacent their end of the cylinderso that operation of the pump will cause syrup to flow through theflavor circuit without interruption from the cylinder, the pressure inthe syrup circuit created by operation of the pump urging the pistontoward the other end of the cylinder so as to enlarge said divertingchamber, said stem preventing movement of the piston in response to thatpressure when the valve in the water circuit is open.
 24. A beveragedispenser as described in claim 23 further characterized by a shelfprovided in said housing for supporting a container of flavor syrup, andmeans including a tube forming part of the syrup circuit for detachablyconnecting a syrup container to the syrup circuit.
 25. A beveragedispenser as described in claim 24 further characterized by a waterheating tank mounted in the housing and the water circuit, a solenoidvalve in the water circuit for opening and closing the circuit, and amotor in the housing connected to the pump for driving the pump in thesyrup circuit.
 26. A beverage dispenser as described in claim 25 furthercharacterized by said positive displacement pump including a pumpcylinder and pump piston, a duct connecting the tube to one side of thepump cylinder and another duct connecting that side of the pump cylinderto the inlet fitting on the diverting chamber, and means interconnectingthe motor and the pump piston for driving the piston through one cycleduring each operation of the motor, said piston first discharging thecontents of the pump cylinder and then refilling the pump cylinder fromthe contents of the syrup container and the diverting chamber, and anelectrical control circuit connected to the solenoid and motor forrunning the motor and opening the valve for a selected interval.
 27. Abeverage dispenser as described in claim 26 further characterized bysaid diverting chamber having a volume which is a preselected proportionof the volume displaced by the pump, whereby the ratio of the volume ofthe pump to the volume of the combined flow through the primary andsecondary paths is equal to the ratio of the volume of the pump minusthat of the diverting chamber to the volume of the flow through theprimary path.
 28. A beverage dispenser in accordance with claim 26wherein said electric control circuit provides means for dispensingdifferent size portions in equal time periods.